Reaction chamber system for chemical synthesis or related applications

ABSTRACT

In a reaction chamber is located a platform for receiving individual samples and sample racks. The reaction chamber can be heated, cooled and evacuated. The samples are then radiation heated. The sample platform is shaken by magnetic coupling. The individual sample containers/reaction containers may be filled or emptied in use thorough ducts. The system has applications in the field of chemical combinatory synthesis, as evaporator or for related applications.

The invention deals with a reaction chamber system that can be used forsimultaneously processing a multitude of liquid, or liquid solutions ofaggressive or hazardous samples.

Processing a multitude of samples simultaneously presents difficultiesthat have hitherto not been resolved satisfactorily.

Aggressive or hazardous samples are usually processed individually.Known systems such as vacuum centrifuges are disadvantageous, since theyrequire special sample racks and are suited only for certain processingsteps (e.g. drying).

U.S. Pat. No. 4,925,629 discloses a sample processing device containingsample containers in the form of microplates arranged in an opencontainer that can be shaken by an independent drive arranged underneaththe container. Due to the open arrangement of the samples, this deviceis not suitable for processing aggressive or hazardous samples.

U.S. Pat. No. 3,622,128 shows a sample conveying device with anintegrated mixing function that is active during transportation. Thisdevice is not a reaction chamber system that would be suitable forprocessing the mentioned problematic samples.

The object of the invention is therefore to disclose a reaction chambersystem that is capable of simultaneously processing a multitude ofsamples and of handling several processing steps automatically asrequired, for example, in combinatorial chemical synthesis.

According to the invention, this object is solved by a reaction chambersystem of the type declared in the beginning, characterized by a closedreaction chamber with a platform movably arranged inside the chamber forreceiving individual sample containers, and by a shaking drive, locatedoutside the reaction chamber, for driving the platform by magneticcoupling. The reaction chamber is suitably resistant to the samples aswell as to temperature and can be evacuated. Radiant heaters, preferablyplaced outside the reaction chamber, heat the samples. Additionally andpreferably, means are provided for filling and emptying the samplecontainers during processing.

A preferred exemplary embodiment of the invention is described belowwith the help of attached drawings:

FIG. 1: a schematic representation of a reaction chamber system

FIG. 2: shaking drive system as used in the system shown in FIG. 1

FIG. 3: a single magnetic coupling unit as used in the system shown inFIG. 2.

As shown in FIG. 1, a reaction chamber 1 is closed at the top by a glassplate 2, sealed by a seal 3 and heated by jacket heating 4.Additionally, an infrared radiator 5 can be used to heat the interior ofthe reaction chamber 1. Shaking drive 7 drives a shaking plate 6 locatedinside the reaction chamber 1. The construction of the shaking drive isshown in detail in FIGS. 2 and 3. Sample rack 9 complete with samplecontainers 8 is mounted on a shaking plate 6. Alternatively, sample rack9 and shaking plate 6 may be integrated to form a single unit.Electrical, discharge, gas, vacuum, solvent, reagent and sensor linesare connected with the reaction chamber 1 by means of connections 10.FIG. 1 shows connections 10 and jacket heating 4 only schematically. Itis understood that they are designed according to the state-of-the-art.Seal 3, glass plate 2 and infrared radiator 5 are not described in anydetail either, since they are designed according to the appropriatestate-of-the-art also.

As shown in FIG. 2, shaking plate 6 is fixed to bearing journal 11.Bearing shells 12 are mounted in the bottom plate 13 of the reactionchamber. Glass inserts 14 underneath the bearing shells 12 seal thereaction chamber 1. Outside the reaction chamber, motor 15 drivesshaking drive 7 with drivers 16.

Bearing journals 11 mounted at shaking locations 6 are seated in bearingshells 12. For each shaking plate 6 at least three bearing journals 11with the corresponding bearing shells 12 are required. The excursion ofthe shaking movement is determined by the difference between the ID ofthe bearing shell 12 and the OD of the bearing journal. Shaking plate 6executes a circular motion. In order to obtain a high shaking frequency,electrically non-conducting glass inserts 14 are used in the otherwisemetallic reaction chamber bottom plate 13. This prevents the brakingeffect due to eddy currents. Driver magnets 18/19 do not contact glassinserts 14.

As shown in FIG. 3, a shaking magnet 20 is embedded in bearing journal11 and is therefore indirectly fixed to shaking plate 6. Bearing shell12 and glass insert 14 sandwiched between driver magnets 18/19 andshaking magnet 20, are embedded in the reaction chamber bottom plate 13.

Shaking magnet 20 is attracted by driver magnet 18 and repelled bydriver magnet 19, or vice versa depending on polarization.

Friction between the bearing surface in bearing shell 12 and the bearingface of the bearing journal 11 depends on the total shaking mass and theapplied magnetic force.

As the RPM (rotations per minute) of the driver magnets 18/19 increase,the shaking magnet 20 increasingly lags behind and is further removedfrom the optimal position above the attracting driver magnet 18.Consequently, the shaking magnet 20 increasingly approaches therepelling magnet 19, which tends to lower friction and to increase theRPM.

What is claimed is:
 1. Reaction chamber system for the simultaneousprocessing of a multitude of liquid, or liquid solutions of, aggressiveor hazardous samples, comprising a closed reaction chamber with bottomplate, a platform freely standing on the bottom plate inside the chamberfor receiving individual sample containers, with magnetic means fixedlyconnected to the platform, and a shaking drive, located outside thereaction chamber and being equipped with magnetic driving meansproviding magnetic coupling to the magnetic means connected to theplatform, for driving the platform by the said magnetic coupling. 2.Reaction chamber system according to claim 1, wherein the chamber isprovided with means for being emptied.
 3. Reaction chamber systemaccording to claim 1, wherein a radiant heater is mounted on the outsidethe chamber.
 4. Reaction chamber system according to claim 1, comprisingline connections for filling and emptying the sample containers duringprocessing.
 5. Reaction chamber system according to claim 1, comprisingelectrically non-conducting inserts which prevent the eddy currentbraking effect in the magnetic coupling area.
 6. Reaction chamber systemaccording to claim 1, wherein the reaction chamber has a bottom platewith bearing shells mounted therein and the platform is equipped withbearing journals having a smaller diameter than the bearing shells andstanding freely in the bearing shells.
 7. Reaction chamber systemaccording to claim 6, wherein the shaking drive is equipped with amultitude of rotating synchronized drivers with driver magnets, and thebearing journals are equipped with integrated shaking magnets. 8.Reaction chamber system according to claim 7, comprising a driver magnetwhich repels the shaking magnet so that friction decreases as theshaking speed increases.